Minimalistic multichip DIY LED build

[screamincamaro]

I tried the two different ones to run them side by side that way I can see which one I like the best and also to see how they do with SPS. Based on that I may do a build for my main tank.

The two 50w LED's have a good brightness and light distribution at the bottom of the tank without raising them up much. Both LED's look good to the eye and the 10k seems to be a little bluer but I'll have a better idea after I start moving some frags over into it.

Color Temperature/Wavelength:
20 chips 20000K + 30 chips 450-453nm Royal Blue
24 chips 10000K + 24 chips 445-449nm Royal Blue

I'm doing this more or less to test with them to see if it's a good alternative. Also the wavelength of the actinic is slightly different between the two chips. When I do a full build I'll probably go with drivers (most likely Mean Well) that can be dimmed through my RK controller.

 

[007Bond]

Camaro, Thanks for the input. I'll watch for your post as to how your SPS are doing with these multi-chips.---Rick

 

[katchupoy]

screamingcamaro. Thanks for the pic, I have been wondering about the color difference between the two. Let me ask you again. Is it really that the 10k is bluer because its hybrid with RB? Thank you again.

 

[screamincamaro]

I have been wondering about the color difference between the two.

Me too, that's why I wanted to see them side by side before I made a larger investment.

Is it really that the 10k is bluer because its hybrid with RB.

Dunno, I was a little surprised by it since the 20k actually has more blue LEDs.

 

[katchupoy]

screamincamaro Would it be possible to points it to a blank white wall or something or on a floor?

 

[rogergolf66]

Very interesting nice job

 

[5Starreef]

Good job guys!

 

[screamincamaro]

screamincamaro Would it be possible to points it to a blank white wall or something or on a floor?

I'll see what I can come up with.

 

[Cmoua]

Hey thank you guys for the info on this thread. Very much appreciated.

I am thinking about putting some LEDs on my standard 75 gallon and was thinking about putting 10x10watts over it. Do you guys think this would be enough to grow SPS corals from the mid depth to the top of the tank?

My color would be maybe..
6x16000K
2x20000K
2X10000K
I am hoping the deep 20K blue would produce bright colors and the 10Ks help with growth. While the 16K give me a good medium blend of blue and white since I am not too fond of an atinic look.
If you think a different color blend or wattage would be preferred I would am interested to learn.

 

[007Bond]

Cmoua, are you talking about the hybrid type?

 

[Cmoua]

No, I am not referring to the hybrid types.

 

[007Bond]

My color would be maybe..
6x16000K
2x20000K
2X10000K
I am hoping the deep 20K blue would produce bright colors and the 10Ks help with growth. While the 16K give me a good medium blend of blue and white since I am not too fond of an atinic look.
If you think a different color blend or wattage would be preferred I would am interested to learn.

Ok, than are you talking blue leds or seeing blue in the whites?---Rick

 

[Cmoua]

No I am talking about using a good portion of the pure 16Ks as the base color and using a few deep blues (20K) and pure white (10K) to get the benefits of their spectrum.

My main concern is will the light from a 10watt reach grow sps from the mid to top of the tank?

 

[007Bond]

Thanks I see what you are saying now.---Rick

 

[Lassef]

My experience of 20 000 K 10 watt chip from the AC-RC is that they are not particularly blue. Rather, they are more yellow than either the 16 000 K and 10 000 K. I use the 16 000 K and 10 000 K as a base and then Royal Blue (455 nm) for both color and growth. My main lighting consists of 1/3 16 000 K, 1/3 10 000 K and 1/3 Royal Blue, and when things are going in full swing, it's not very Actinic. If I did redo my lights today, I'd take both 455 nm and 445 nm chip (445 found at 20 watts but gives 10 if one uses 1000 mA instead of 2000 mA) and maybe a few 420 nm as well. Not for color but for growth. Many corals are probably specially adapted for blue wavelengths depending on their living depth. (red wavelengths disappears already at 4-5 m depth)

Sincerely Lasse

 

[007Bond]

My experience of 20 000 K 10 watt chip from the AC-RC is that they are not particularly blue. Rather, they are more yellow than either the 16 000 K and 10 000 K. I use the 16 000 K and 10 000 K as a base and then Royal Blue (455 nm) for both color and growth. My main lighting consists of 1/3 16 000 K, 1/3 10 000 K and 1/3 Royal Blue, and when things are going in full swing, it's not very Actinic. If I did redo my lights today, I'd take both 455 nm and 445 nm chip (445 found at 20 watts but gives 10 if one uses 1000 mA instead of 2000 mA) and maybe a few 420 nm as well. Not for color but for growth. Many corals are probably specially adapted for blue wavelengths depending on their living depth. (red wavelengths disappears already at 4-5 m depth)

Sincerely Lasse

Lasse, Sorry I don't know what you mean, when you say ( I'd take )? add more,or replace the 10 & 16k chips?---Rick

 

[Lassef]

What I mean when I write in English - well, that I wonder myself sometimes Do you also use Google's translator, it can become crazy

This time I wanted to say that if I would make a new lighting for my tank, I would not only use Royal Blue with 455 nm wavelength, but also use Royal Blue with 445 nm wavelength and a few at 420 nm as well. Basically, I would have remained the same distribution of 10 000 K, 16 000 K and various blue LED. But that's my aesthetic taste. Others may want to involve more of the blue wavelengths. The reason that I have only 1/3 blue LED is that both the 10 000 K and 16 000 K have sharp peaks in the blue wavelength range. What type of light that different people prefer vary from person to person so it's difficult to advise. However, biologically, it is important to note that the blue wavelengths are also likely to have significant impact on photosynthesis in corals (actually of Zooxanthellae) and can probably contribute to good growth.

Sincerely Lasse

 

[007Bond]

Lasse, Thanks. Your previous post was very informative especially with your experience in these multi-chips, as I have none. Thank you for elaborating further for me.---Rick

 

[Cmoua]

How much par do you think a 10watt be able to put down 21" of water based on your experiences with these leds

 

[Sonny n Colleen]

Lasse,

I am creating a parts list for my DIY LED lights and I have question. What do you recommend for a 6 foot tank with two crossbraces and a 18 inch depth? My thought is to have three seperate LED assemblies like the one on the right of screamingcamaro's tank in post 437 http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showpost.php?p=20115145&postcount=437 . I also like your idea of adding the 455 and 420 nm blue LEDs for growth. I want to take it a step further by using AC-RC sunset LEDs to create a dawn dusk effect. I would like to have LEDs for moonlight.